H.M.S. Atherstone (L 05) - A type 1 Hunt- class escort destroyer launched in late 1939 at the Cammell Laird shipyard at Birkenhead. Many thanks to the Imperial War Museum archive for the above photograph. © IWM (H 23637) [266]

This was another RN ship adopted by a civil community under the already described Warship Week : National Savings campaign of 1942 ; on this occasion being the town of Long Eaton in Derbyshire. She became Reserve Fleet status in October 1945 stationed initially at Portsmouth and after 8 years there was relocated to the Reserve Fleet Division at Penarth Dock in 1953. Placed on the disposal list in 1957 she met her fate at Port Glasgow on the Clyde at the breakers yard of Smith and Houston arriving there under tow in late November 1957.

H.M.S. Atherstone (L 05) - During trials it was found that the ship was unstable. To correct this design error her top weight was reduced, more permanent ballast was added, and the gun emplacement of one of the three 4 " guns were relocated aft. Subsequent ships of the class were modified similarly. Many thanks to the amazing Naval History website and Gordon Smith for the above qualified information. [263]